On Sept. 15 Helle Thorning-Schmidt led her political alliance to victory in Denmark, paving the way for her to become the country's first female Prime Minister. In honor of female politicians kicking through glass ceilings, TIME takes a look at 13 women who have made it to the top

Laura Chinchilla, President of Costa Rica

By William Lee AdamsFriday, Sept. 16, 2011

Mayela Lopez / AFP / Getty

A former Vice President under Nobel laureate Oscar Arias Sánchez, Laura Chinchilla won 47% of the vote in Costa Rica's February 2010 presidential election. In a country increasingly concerned about crime, the center-leftist played up her security experience: she previously served as both Public Security Minister and Justice Minister in the National Liberation Party. A social conservative, she opposes gay marriage, abortion and the legalization of the morning-after pill. She has pledged to continue the probusiness policies of her predecessor by courting international investment and expanding free trade.